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The EU’s Difficulty in Translating Interests into Effective Foreign Policy Action: A Look at the Ukraine Crisis

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  • Smith Nicholas Ross

    (Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand)

Abstract

The EU’s foreign policy response(s) to the unfolding Ukraine crisis has further illustrated its difficulty in making effective foreign policy decisions. Using a neoclassical realist analytical framework, this paper argues that although the EU did have tangible collective interests in pursuing its Ukraine foreign policy, it was unable to adequately filter these through its domestic setting. Three key constraints to the EU’s Ukrainian foreign policy> were identified: decision-makers ’ miscalculations; rigid normative demands; and a reliance on consensus politics. Ultimately, the Ukraine crisis illustrated that the EU, in current incarnation, cannot translate interests into effective foreign policies, even when making policy for their direct neighbourhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith Nicholas Ross, 2014. "The EU’s Difficulty in Translating Interests into Effective Foreign Policy Action: A Look at the Ukraine Crisis," TalTech Journal of European Studies, Sciendo, vol. 4(1), pages 54-68, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:bjeust:v:4:y:2014:i:1:p:15:n:4
    DOI: 10.2478/bjes-2014-0004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Asle Toje, 2011. "The European Union as a Small Power," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1), pages 43-60, January.
    2. Daniel C. Thomas, 2012. "Still Punching below Its Weight? Coherence and Effectiveness in European Union Foreign Policy," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(3), pages 457-474, May.
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